How Camping and Survival Camps Strengthen Mental Health and Resilience

The Impact of Camping and Survival Camps on Mental Health and Well-being

As a Clinical and Sport psychologist with a passion for the outdoors, I have always been fascinated by the connection between physical challenge and mental resilience. Throughout my career, I have worked with athletes and individuals striving to push their limits—both in competition and in life. One of the most effective ways to develop mental strength, confidence, and emotional balance is by stepping into nature and embracing adventure.

My work with athletes and individuals facing anxiety, depression, and burnout has reinforced a simple truth: nature is a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery. Whether it's through structured survival camps or a simple weekend of camping, outdoor experiences provide more than just physical challenges—they cultivate mental toughness, self-reliance, and a deeper understanding of one's own potential.

Camping and survival camps, in particular, are powerful interventions for mental well-being. They push individuals beyond their comfort zones, teaching them to navigate uncertainty, adapt to challenges, and build confidence. The combination of nature, adventure, and skill-building creates an ideal setting for personal growth and psychological resilience.

In this article, we will explore the impact of camping and survival camps on mental health, drawing from research and real-life experiences to highlight their benefits. Whether you're an athlete seeking peak performance or someone looking for a mental reset, embracing the adventure of the outdoors can be a game-changer for your well-being.

What are Survival Camps?

Survival camps are specialized camps designed to prove and develop essential survival skills needed to
navigate and thrive in wilderness environments. These skills may include building shelters, finding and purifying water, foraging for food, and using basic navigation techniques. Survival camps emphasize hands-on learning, problem-solving, and teamwork, often pushing campers out of their comfort zones and encouraging personal growth and resilience (Gookin, 2003).

The Relationship Between Camping, Survival Camps, and Mental Health

Spending time in nature through camping or survival adventures isn’t just fun—it’s great for mental health. Being outdoors reduces stress, anxiety, and even improves mood by lowering blood pressure and heart rate (Ulrich et al., 1991). The concept of "biophilia" suggests we are naturally drawn to nature, which boosts happiness and brain function (Wilson, 1984). Outdoor activities also release endorphins, lowering stress hormones and promoting well-being (Salmon, 2001).

Nature helps reset the brain, improving focus and creativity (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). Camping also builds confidence by teaching survival skills, increasing self-esteem and resilience (Gookin, 2003). Group experiences foster strong bonds and a sense of belonging (Pretty et al., 2003). According to "self-determination theory," outdoor adventures fulfill basic psychological needs for control, competence, and connection (Deci & Ryan, 2000). Additionally, natural light and physical activity improve sleep, leading to better mental health (Foster & Roenneberg, 2008).

Ultimately, camping strengthens both mind and body, making it a powerful tool for overall well-being.

Personal experience

As I mentioned in the introduction to this paragraph, I love the outdoors and helping people manage their mental health through adventure. Recently, I went camping with a patient who suffered from depression. During this trip, we worked on identifying his strengths by exploring questions like, What are my talents? and What am I capable of doing? Through simple yet essential tasks—building a fire, cooking meals, and constructing our shelter in the mountains with his own hands—he began to realize that he had skills and the ability to face challenges.

For him, this was a moment of realization. He understood that life’s obstacles could be approached in the same way he tackled the challenges of the adventure: with the right mindset and the strategies we had previously worked on in therapy. Instead of falling into the familiar cycle of victimhood and depression, he learned to confront difficulties with resilience and purpose.

The outdoors has something to teach all of us. In different ways, we discover our limits, our strengths, and even a deeper connection with God. But to experience this, we must truly live—step outside our comfort zones and take that leap of faith. Because, in the end, life itself is the adventure of having faith. 

Psychology and Outdoor Adventure: A Powerful Combination for Mental Health and Well-Being

Go and protect your mental health in the outdoors.

As a psychotherapist and outdoor enthusiast, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of nature in mental health. In today's fast-paced world, many people find themselves trapped in a cycle of work-related stress, constantly striving to meet demands but rarely taking time to reconnect with themselves. Yet, nature is always there—offering a space for reflection, growth, and challenge.

Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals battling anxiety and depression, some of whom have spent years in psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment. One of the most effective ways I have found to foster true healing is by helping them reconnect with the outdoors. Adventure—whether it’s hiking, climbing, or simply immersing oneself in nature—teaches resilience, self-awareness, and confidence. It pushes individuals beyond their perceived limits, allowing them to redefine their sense of self-worth beyond professional achievements or societal expectations.

Psychology and outdoor adventure are deeply intertwined. Both require a willingness to step beyond comfort zones, confront fears, and embrace challenges. In the end, life itself is an adventure, and true well-being comes from embracing that journey—fully present, fully alive.

The Relationship Between Psychology and Outdoor Adventure.

Engaging in outdoor adventures offers significant mental health benefits by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression while enhancing mood and life satisfaction (Capaldi et al., 2015). Exposure to nature lowers

physiological stress responses like blood pressure and heart rate, promoting relaxation (Ulrich et al., 1991). The attention restoration theory explains that time in nature helps restore cognitive resources, improving focus, creativity, and problem-solving (Kaplan, 1995). Physical activity in outdoor settings releases endorphins, boosting mood and reducing stress (Salmon, 2001). Outdoor adventures also foster social connections, strengthening relationships and building support networks, which enhance overall well-being (Pretty et al., 2003; Mutz & Müller, 2016). These experiences encourage teamwork and trust, reinforcing psychological resilience. Additionally, activities that create a "flow" state, where individuals are fully engaged in a challenge, contribute to a sense of fulfillment and mental well-being (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). The biopsychosocial model highlights how outdoor experiences integrate physical, psychological, and social benefits (Engel, 1977), making them a holistic approach to well-being. Combining nature, movement, social interaction, and personal growth, outdoor adventures provide a powerful way to improve mental health and overall quality of life.

In my personal experience

As a psychotherapist, I have found that human beings live in a constant state of work-related stress—pressured by the necessity of making a living but often neglecting time to reconnect with themselves. Nature surrounds us, inviting us to admire it and push our limits. Look at GoPro and Red Bull athletes, who are constantly pushing their boundaries—it may sound unconventional, but this is a way of building mental resilience and well-being.

In my experience working with patients suffering from depression and anxiety—many of whom have undergone years of psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment—the best way to initiate meaningful progress is to reconnect them with nature. Through this process, they discover their own capabilities and human limits. They begin to face difficulties based on their own experiences and, in doing so, realize that their worth is not solely determined by their job or income but by their abilities, knowledge, and personal growth.

We must step outside and embrace the adventure of being alive. In the end, the true meaning of life is simply to be alive and appreciate the journey, enjoying what we have and getting to know ourselves and others.

If you're sad, or unhappy with your life, go outside and start living the adventure of life, you´ll see how it changes for good. 

BIBLIOGRAFY: 

American Psychological Association. (2020). What is psychology? Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/psychology

Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

Beedie, P., & Hudson, S. (2003). Emergence of mountain-based adventure tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 30(3), 625-643. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-7383(03)00043-4

Capaldi, C. A., Passmore, H.-A., Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Dopko, R. L. (2015). Flourishing in nature: A review of the benefits of connecting with nature and its application as a well-being intervention. International Journal of Wellbeing, 5(4), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v5i4.449

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. Harper & Row.

Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196(4286), 129-136. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.847460

Ewert, A., & Sibthorp, J. (2014). Outdoor adventure education: Foundations, theory, and research. Human Kinetics.

Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169-182. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2

Mutz, M., & Müller, J. (2016). Mental health benefits of outdoor adventures: Results from two pilot studies. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 16(1), 63-79. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2015.1051562

Myers, D. G., & DeWall, C. N. (2018). Psychology (12th ed.). Worth Publishers.

Pretty, J., Griffin, M., Sellens, M., & Pretty, C. (2003). Green exercise: Complementary roles of nature, exercise, and diet in physical and emotional well-being and implications for public health policy. CES Occasional Paper 2003-1, 1-42. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237607582_Green_Exercise_Complementary_Roles_of_Nature_Exercise_and_Diet_in_Physical_and_Emotional_Well-Being_and_Implications_for_Public_Health_Policy

Salmon, P. (2001). Effects of physical exercise on anxiety, depression, and sensitivity to stress: A unifying theory. Clinical Psychology Review, 21(1), 33-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-7358(99)00032-X

Ulrich, R. S., Simons, R. F., Losito, B. D., Fiorito, E., Miles, M. A., & Zelson, M. (1991). Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 11(3), 201-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(05)80184-7

Warburton, D. E. R., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. D. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: The evidence. CMAJ, 174(6), 801-809. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.051351